Naegleria

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Transcript of Naegleria

Naegleria Kate Mozzochi & Emily PoppWhat led us to research Naegleria?Naegleria is a parasite that affects the brain. The main reason that we picked Naegleria was because the images for this parasite were minimally graphic. Who is Affected by This Parasite?Where and How Naegleria OriginatedThe Discovery of NaegleriaThe Affects Of NaegleriaHow is Naegleria Classified?Naegleria's NicheCase History

Life CycleCurrent Research and TreatmentsWill Naegleria Ever be Eradicated?Is Naegleria Successful?What Characteristics Make Naegleria Unique?Something InterestingUsually Naegleria eats bacteria; however, once in the human body, the parasite uses the brain as a food source.Change in smell or tasteHeadacheFever Stiff neckNausea/ VomitingConfusionSeizuresAltered mental statusComaDeathNaegleria Causes...Kali Hardig, age 12, contracted the Naegleria parasite in the form of a rare meningitis while swimming at a water park in Arkansas.

Kali began vomiting violently and her mother rushed her to the emergency room. Her mother's early action is mostly likely the reason she lived.

Kali was given a multitudes of drugs including an experimental drug that was used to treat breast cancer. They also used a method of cooling used for cases of traumatic brain injury.

BibliographyNaelgeria normally affects children and young adults; however, the amoeba does not specifically affect a certain group of peopleYoung boys are most at riskIf someone ingests warm,contaminated, freshwater through their nose or swims in a poorly maintained swimming pool they are at risk of being affected by NaelgeriaNaeleria Fowleri can only infect HumansThere are three stages in the life cycle of Naegleria

The Naegleria changes stages of life as the conditions of the environment changeAmeboid Trophozite StageThe amoeba feeds on bacteria and multiplies through binary fission (pinching in half) without breaking the membrane of the nucleus Flagellate Stage(Ameboflagellate state)There are 8 known types of Naegleria that can be found in bodies of freshwater (lakes, rivers and ponds) or soil in...Europe (Australia, New Zealand, and Japan) Middle Asia (Thiland, India and China) The USA.A temporary state where the Naegleria does not feed or divide If creature come into contact with poor nutrient water, the Naegleria enters the flagellate stageThe Naegleria changes shape and may move forward rapidly or spin in place to escape bad nutrient waterCystic Stage

The most resistant form of the parasite that protects the parasite from dryness or food shortages. When conditions around the amoeba improve, the parasite escapes through pores of the cyst.Amoeba migrates through olfactory nerves (nose) to cause infection in the brainNaegleria was first discovered in Australia but has supposedly evolved in the United StatesFound in 1965 by Dr. Fowler and Dr. CutlerThis discovery was important to scientific and medical research because Naegleria proved how a protozoa can live both in a human host and in natureNaegleria causes the disease Primary Amebic Meningoencenphalitis (PAM) which was discovered by Dr. Butt in 1966Kingdon= Protists (specifically protozoa)Phylum= Sarcomastigophora (specifically sarcodina)Species= FowleriClass= AcarpomyxeaFamily= VahlkampfiidaeGenus= NaegleriaOrder= Schizopyrenida

Naegleria commonly kills individuals quickly; however, doctors normally use amphotericin B, which is highly toxic and may cause organ damage or drug related death, to treat patients infected with naelgeria. Amphotericin B is very ineffective because of the nature of the protazoa; it is very rare that a human will survive after having Naegleria infect their brainNaegleria's natural niche is bodies of warm, freshwater such as lakes, rivers or hot springsThis parasite can also make it's home in under chlorinated pools, soil deposits, heated tap water or in warm water discharge from industrial plantsThe ideal temperature is above 27 degrees Celsius They grow at temperatures between 37-46 degrees Celsius (86-115 F)

Is Naegleria good and what it does?

- Naegleria is a very rare occurrence in humans; however, most cases of Naegleria in humans result in primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) which is almost always fatal; therefore, Naegleria is successful at eating the brains of humans.

- There is no effective treatment for Naegleria; therefore, the parasite continues to reproduce and destroy the brain and nervous system.

- In nature, Naegleria is common in lakes in the South and has become more prevalent in lakes of the North which means the parasite is successful at reproducing and expanding.The immune system in the human body naturally uses mucus to remove toxins and harmful bacterias from the body; however, Naelgeria releases an enzyme once inside the human body that digests the mucus which makes the infection even harder to treatNaegleria causes primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) which is nearly always fatalMost Dangerous Effect

Other drugs such as miltefosine and chlorpromazine are currently being tested to treat NaegleriaChlorpromazine has been more successful in treating the parasiteThe scary part: A child died a few years earlier from meningitis caused by the Naegleria parasite after going to the same water park.Naegleria has three morphologically different life stages that change based on environmental conditionsTransformation of amoeba into flagellatesThe ability for Naegleria to divide rapidly in warm and stagnant waterHeat- lovingDistinct nuclear envelopeCan only feed and develop in amoeba stageAll Naegleria species are sensitive to amphotericin B

It is highly unlikely that Naegleria will ever be eradicated because...

There are over 30 types of NaegleriaNaegleria's ability to transform between physical stages make the parasite tolerable to changes in conditions that may be used for eradicationNaegleria can be found in many domestic water supplies and bodies of water in the US and reproduces quickly through binary fission meaning that the parasite is most likely too numerous for complete eradicationThere is also no current vaccine or true cure to Naegleria Fowleri so there is still lots of research to be done before eradication, if possible. - A common cause of Naegleria Fowleri is the neti- pot if the water is contaminated.

- In nature, the parasite is most abundant during the summer months, due to the warm temperature.

Naegleria evolved from a pathogen found in AustraliaNaegleria Fowleri is believed to have evolved from the nonpathogenic Naegleria Iovaniesnsis in AmericaFrom a Different Perspective...Naegleria could be considered unsuccessful because after Naegleria eats the brain of the host, the amoeba must find a new host which is a difficult task.